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Broker Tour Insider Notes

As a memory aid for myself and as a resource for clients, I'm keeping notes on properties I visit. Click on the address or photo to read more about any particular property. Click here to read my blog post on the importance of broker tours.

My notes:
Described as a "Manhattan Style" condo. It has hardwood floors throughout this first-floor unit. In the current configuration there are 2 bedrooms, and one of the other rooms could be converted into an additional bedroom by closing it off. There is a separate laundry room off the kitchen, and a dining and living room as well. The master bathroom included a bidet.
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My notes:
Extraordinary offering, as you'd expect at this price! Filled with fine woodworking details, including banisters, columns, and moldings. Nest thermostats. My favorite room was the oval dining room. The kitchen was also remarkable for how filled with light it was, with a wall of windows; it felt like eating outside.
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My notes:
Directly across from Schick Park on Aspinwall Hill. Charming with lots of original details, including the fireplace, stained glass, and intricate banisters. Smelled of wood smoke from the fireplace.
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My notes:
This house is on a hill, and there are a number of stairs just to get to the front door, and then more stairs inside to get to the unit. Once inside it's a nice blend of traditional Victorian finishes with modern updates, such as an updated kitchen and bathrooms. The washer & dryer are on the main level, along with a family room that can convert into the fourth bedroom with a murphy bed. The exterior of the house seemed like it could use a new coat of paint.
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My notes:
Another one on a hill with a flight of stairs to get to the front door. Once there, this unit is on the first level. It's a lovely 2-bedroom with elegant finishes, and feels spacious with a separate living and dining room. Pet friendly, and with washer/dryer off the kitchen.
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My notes:
On Aspinwall Hill, you can't miss this boldly colored house. The two parking spots are tandem spots.This unit has an unusual layout, including a bifurcated staircase (http://www.civilengineeringx.com/building/bce/Bifurcated-stairs.jpg) to the second level. Listing agent says annual heating bill is around $2500.
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My notes:
This is a cute little 1-bedroom on street level, about halfway between Coolidge Corner and Washington Square on Beacon St. Listing agent told me that 53 of 66 units are owner occupied, and there are $151,000 in the reserve fund. It comes with a storage closet in the building near the laundry room. The kitchen is a small area in the living room. Could be a nice pied-à-terre.
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My notes:
This is a tenth floor unit with great views from this elevator & concierge building right in Washington Square. It comes with a garage space, and the building has an exercise room and a laundry room. The main room has an open floor plan. The listing agent told me this pet-friendly building has $440,000 in their reserve fund.
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My notes:
Listed in Brookline, but really it's a couple blocks into Brighton, and actually it's number 41, not 45. This is a wonderful, large, modern town home, with two garage spots, central a/c, and storage in the basement. Not far from Chestnut Hill Resevoir. I think this would be much more expensive if it was actually in Brookline.
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My notes:
Great home, walking distance to Newton Centre, on a dead end street, across from a large park, with a garage, central a/c, and with a giant back yard. This place was certain to sell quickly and for above asking. At the Saturday open house there were at least 120 people, and another 70 or so on Sunday. They got 19 offers (!) and accepted one on Monday that was _a lot_ over list price and that was "clean" (i.e. no contingencies). It was a perfect storm: very desirable listing, hot market, and very low inventory.
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My notes:
Really lovely place, with old-school charm mixed with some modern updates. This unit is the second and third floors of the house. The first floor is another unit, which is currently leased out. The listing agent says the owners of the two units split the costs of the association very informally, and make decisions by consensus. There is direct entry to the house from the garage. The fireplace is functional, but it is not clear when it was last used. This unit has some very nice details. The staircase to the upper level is open slats; be careful not to drop your phone! The upper level does not have a bathroom, but it appears that there is enough space up there to add one, which if possible could make it a nice guest suite. Note: they counted the (unheated) sun room in the 2188 square feet of living area, but did not count the 503 square feet in the finished basement.
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My notes:
Part of a 2-unit house, it had a recent (2010) gut rehab, and it still feels newly remodeled and very contemporary. The heated garage has two spots...tandem parking. There is also one outdoor spot in back. It was hard to tell with the fog today, but apparently there are views of Boston from the top floor master bathroom, which is a well appointed bathroom. This is on the southern slope of Summit Hill, closer to Beacon St.
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My notes:
Wow! Beautiful, modern renovation. I've often walked by this building (I like visiting the park on Summit Hill), but this was my first time inside. It's a concierge, elevator building, built in the Art Deco style, which is rare for this area. The entrance is in back. The complex has an outdoor, heated, crescent-shaped pool, and a large grass yard. The condo fee is hefty at $814/month; be sure to factor that into your mortgage calculations. The unit itself was lovely, on two levels. It had dark wood floors and black window frames, which gives it a very modern feel. This is on the northern slope of Summit Hill, closer to Brighton. Worth checking out!
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My notes:
Comes with two parking spots. This is a nice unit that could use some love in areas, such as repainting the back porch. Shared washer/dryer in the basement. The C line (of the MBTA) runs directly behind this house, but it didn't seem loud to me; I heard the train rumbling but not any of the infamous squealing of the brakes.
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My notes:
Walked up multiple flights to get to this unit. Seems large, and bright and airy, with generous sized bedrooms, a living room, and dining room. One assigned parking spot, and extra storage in the building next door. The price is higher than I would expect though. The kitchen appliances did not seem updated. There is no central air. I wonder if you could take some square feet from the living room and the master bedroom to try to make a third bedroom? Listing agent says floor plans will be available later today.
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My notes:
On top floor, up multiple-flights. This unit gets great sun in the living room with its southern exposure, and some views of the Boston skyline. This building, like the rest of this neighborhood, is primarily rented. (2 of 19 units are owner-occupied.)
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My notes:
Roof is approximately ten years old. First floor unit in a three-family in the Boston Landing neighborhood. They have turned the dining room into a third bedroom to increase rents.
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My notes:
This seems to be a nicely maintained unit, and the least expensive of the two-bedrooms I saw today. The Kitchen has a lot of storage and an attached pantry for even more. Large windows in living room. Listing agent told me the building is 100% owner occupied, the roof is one year old, and the boiler is approximately ten years old. It's just blocks from Trader Joe's, which I stopped by afterward. Pet friendly, but no parking though. Coolidge Corner.
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My notes:
It's worth noting that this unit has steam heat and does not have a separate thermostat. (The temperature is controlled for the whole building.) Main bedroom has a large closet. Wall A/C units. In addition to 1 assigned parking space, there is a guest space; one additional rental parking space may also be available. Small pets allowed. Washington Square.
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My notes:
Set back from St Paul street with convenient parking. The most expensive of the two-bedrooms I saw today, but also the only one with the extra half bathroom. 2 levels, with the bedrooms upstairs. Pets allowed. Wall A/C units. Coolidge Corner.
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My notes:
Feels well-maintained. The bedroom was large and had a nice walk-in closet. With a connected garage, in-unit washer/dryer and central air, this is great little unit.
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My notes:
This is the first floor and finished lower level. They did a wonderful job with the renovation, it looks gorgeous. 3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the lower floor, and I wonder how much noise travels down on the hardwood floors. No backyard, although it's very close to a park. It's back abuts a car dealership.
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My notes:
This unit is the second and third floors. Like unit 1 (above), they did a wonderful job with the renovation. No backyard, although it's very close to a park. It's back abuts a car dealership and today you could see a row of Mini Coopers for sale.
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My notes:
The broker tour was very busy for this great house, and I'd expect this to sell quickly. The garage has two spots but they are tandem, which is curious. Jordan Road is on a hill, of course, and has a wonderful view. I loved the backyard patio.
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Note: Information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. I fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Information is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.